Key duo set for Spurs return

Harry Redknapp confirmed Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart as likely starters for Tottenham’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Bale returned from a back injury in his side’s 3-3 draw with Wolverhampton in the English Premier League on Sunday, putting in some typical barnstorming runs that will give the Welshman plenty of confident ahead of Tottenham’s last-16, second-leg match against the Serie A giants on Wednesday at White Hart Lane.

Spurs took the first leg 1-0 at the San Siro on February 15, with a strike from Peter Crouch handing Tottenham a crucial lead going into the second leg.

Redknapp said Bale pulled up well from the 20-minute substitute stint, and added that van der Vaart is also a chance to return from a calf injury.

“Yes, there’s every chance (of Bale starting). He came on and made a big difference. He seems okay. We’ll keep our fingers crossed,” Redknapp said.

“When he came on and started with the ball it was exciting and we’ve missed that in the last five or six weeks.”

Van der Vaart missed Spurs’ league matches with Blackpool and Wolves but Redknapp said he had his fingers crossed the playmaking Dutchman would be ready to go.

“Yes, I’m hoping he will be fit. We’ll be positive. We’ll play an attacking team. If Lennon’s okay we’ll play with Lennon and probably Bale and Crouchy’s had a fantastic European campaign as well,” he said.